Kissimmee Residential Front Yard Fence Height Standards
In standard residential districts within the City of Kissimmee, front yard fences are restricted to a maximum height of three feet for standard or solid designs, while decorative open fences or retaining walls may reach up to six feet. For residential properties located within the City of Kissimmee Form-Based Code transect zones, fences and street walls must maintain a height between 2.5 feet and five feet, with specific transparency requirements for any portion exceeding 2.5 feet.
Standard Residential District Regulations
For residential properties in the City of Kissimmee not governed by form-based transect zones, the Kissimmee Land Development Code establishes specific height limits based on the opacity and purpose of the fence.
- Standard Fences: The maximum height allowed for a standard front yard fence is three feet [Section 14-6-5.C.1].
- Decorative Open Fences: If the fence is a decorative open design (defined as being no more than 15 percent opaque), the maximum height is increased to six feet [Section 14-6-5.C.1].
- Retaining Walls: Decorative retaining walls in the front yard are permitted up to a maximum height of six feet [Section 14-6-5.C.1].
- Administrative Adjustments: The City of Kissimmee Director has the authority to approve a solid fence or wall in a front yard up to six feet in height if necessitated by unique topographic conditions, specific buffering requirements in a development permit, or the need to screen unique outdoor storage [Section 14-6-5.C.2].
Form-Based Code (T-Zone) Regulations
Residential properties located within the City of Kissimmee Form-Based Code area (Transect Zones T3, T4-R, T4-O, T5, and T6) must adhere to "Street Wall" standards for any fencing placed within the required front or street side yard setbacks.
- Height Range: Fences and street walls in these areas must have a minimum height of 2.5 feet and a maximum height of five feet [Section 14-5-11.F.1].
- Transparency Requirement: Any portion of the fence or street wall above 2.5 feet must be transparent, utilizing materials such as wrought iron or similar open designs [Section 14-5-11.F.1].
- Placement: These walls or fences must be placed in line with the building façade facing the same street [Section 14-5-11.F.3].
Technical Height Standards Summary
| Location/District Type | Fence Design Type | Minimum Height | Maximum Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Residential Districts | Standard / Solid | N/A | 3 Feet |
| Standard Residential Districts | Decorative Open (<15% opaque) | N/A | 6 Feet |
| Standard Residential Districts | Retaining Wall | N/A | 6 Feet |
| Form-Based Transect Zones | Street Wall / Fence | 2.5 Feet | 5 Feet |
| Standard Residential Districts | Side or Rear Yard Fence | N/A | 6 Feet* |
*The City of Kissimmee Director may approve side/rear fences up to 10 feet in height under specific topographic or screening conditions [Section 14-6-5.B.2].
Material and Safety Constraints
The City of Kissimmee enforces additional restrictions on the construction and placement of residential fences to ensure public safety and community aesthetics.
Prohibited Materials
Residential fences in the City of Kissimmee may be constructed of aluminum, treated wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, chain link, concrete, brick, or stone [Section 14-6-5.D.1]. However, the following are prohibited:
- Chain link fences in the front yard are generally prohibited unless the property is a public school [Section 14-6-5.D.2].
- The use of slats within chain link fencing for screening is not permitted [Section 14-6-5.D.4].
- Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited in all residential districts [Section 14-6-5.D.5].
Traffic Visibility
All fences must comply with City of Kissimmee sight visibility triangle regulations. At intersections or where an accessway meets a public right-of-way, landscaping and fences must provide unobstructed cross-visibility between the heights of 30 inches and eight feet [Section 14-7-2.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 14-5-11.F - Street walls/fences
- Section 14-6-5 - Fences and walls
- Section 14-7-2 - Sight visibility triangle